‘Most wanted on earth’: Give him to US principle unjust, unacceptable for Russia – Snowden’s lawyer

While calling on Russia to “return” Snowden, the US authorities have not yet filed any appropriate paperwork outlining specific charges or requesting the extradition of the former US intelligence officer, the refugee’s lawyer, Anatoly Kucherena told RT.

Kucherena once again highlighted the fact that Russia cannot
extradite Snowden because there is no legal basis for such
action.

“We cannot extradite him, because we do not have the law on
extradition,” Kucherena said. Addressing the US authorities
and their desire to see Snowden back on American soil, the lawyer
urged them to “at least send a request specifying what Snowden
stands accused of. That way a man could defend
himself.”

“All we hear from US are political accusations. Stop. Why
don’t they start a legal proceeding?” Kucherena said, adding
that the lack any official request and failure to send any
official document explaining the reasons’ for revoking Snowden’s
passport “is absolutely unacceptable action against
Russia.”

In the meantime Snowden “is the most wanted man on earth”
and the American efforts to have him repatriated are proof of
that, Kucherena believes. “He is wanted just for telling the
truth,” as Snowden remains convinced that it was his duty to
tell the American public for the benefit of mankind.

Regarding the latest article in the Guardian which provides
further details about the NSA’s XKeyscore surveillance system,
Kucherena said that it does not interfere with President Putin’s
request for Snowden to abandon whistleblowing activities damaging
the United States.

“The appearance of an article in the Guardian cannot influence
the petition of the asylum request,” the lawyer said stating
that he has discussed the issue with his client and the
information used in the publication was provided to the newspaper
prior to his arrival in Moscow. Kucherena once again highlighted
that Snowden has “given his word and promised to stop the
whistleblowing activity aimed at United States.”

Speaking to the media, Snowden’s lawyer also said that he is
planning to invite his client’s father to Russia who would be
accompanied by a US lawyer. Earlier, Lon Snowden claimed that his
son would be better off staying in Russia, because he won’t get a
fair trial in the US.

The lawyer also stated that if Snowden is denied his asylum
request, that decision can be appealed in court. In the meantime
a certificate allowing the NSA whistleblower to leave
Sheremetyevo Airport, where he has spent month, will be issued in
the near future.

“The reasons that Snowden stated in his asylum petition, in my
view are quite convincing,” therefore the Federal Migration
Service have no grounds to deny his temporary asylum request,
Kucherena told RT.

Earlier on Wednesday, Kucherena explained to the press that once
allowed to leave the airport, Snowden would choose his place of
residence and would be allowed to move freely in the country
after being granted asylum. Meanwhile, the former NSA contractor
has asked his lawyer for the complete works of the History of the
Russian state by Nikolay Karamzin.

Edward Snowden has been staying in a Moscow airport since June
23, 2013. Russia’s Federal Migration Service (FMS) can take up to
three months to consider an application which Snowden submitted
earlier. If the application is accepted and Snowden is given the
12-month temporary asylum that enables him to leave the transit
area of Sheremetyevo airport.